A cold represents the most common illness for babies and children. It is almost always caused by viruses, which spread rapidly with the onset of the cold season and the increased stay of children indoors. For infants and very young children, a cold is a serious illness and is therefore also called a rhinitis. How dangerous is a cold for newborns and what helps?
How dangerous is a cold for infants?
Everyone knows how unpleasant a stuffy nose is. However, children especially suffer from a cold. Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing fits and disturbed sleep – especially infants and toddlers are quite troubled by the common cold. Babies’ nasal cavities are still very fine and narrow. They become blocked quickly: respiratory tract infections are therefore not uncommon in babies. Another problem: babies breathe almost exclusively through their nose, so a blocked nose in an infant is a serious problem and can cause the little one to refuse to drink altogether and their general condition to deteriorate significantly. In addition, many parents are afraid that their baby might suffocate if they have a cold. However, this fear is unfounded, as babies can also breathe through their mouths.
Possible consequences of the common cold in children
The common cold is actually a fairly harmless illness and subsides within 10 to 14 days without any subsequent damage. Nevertheless, it is important to keep the nose clear during this time, because a cold that initially seems harmless can quickly spread to other organ systems and have more serious consequences. In childhood, for example, it is very common to find middle ear infections caused by the common cold, which in severe cases can lead to hearing loss. Bronchitis with an agonizing cough and shortness of breath is also not uncommon in young children. That’s why it’s important to clear your nose when you have a cold.
Decongestant nose drops
When a stuffy nose disturbs baby’s night’s rest, parents are quick to reach for decongestant nose drops. This can be useful and necessary because babies practically breathe only through their noses. Older children can be given such mucous membrane decongestant drops for children or an appropriate spray to ensure a quiet night and a clear head during the day. However, mucous membrane decongestants should only be used on young children after consultation with a doctor and never for longer than three days, as otherwise damage to the nasal mucosa can occur. Furthermore, it is important to know that chemical decongestants risk side effects on the cardiovascular system in the child.
Gentle means to breathe a sigh of relief
A milder and often already completely sufficient alternative on a natural basis for the nose of his Wonneproppens are sprays or rinses with sea or salt water. Nose drops on the basis of, for example, natural Emser salt have a proven decongestant effect and are free of preservatives. Due to the special combination of minerals with a high proportion of hydrogen carbonate, thick mucus is quickly dissolved and baby’s nose is clear again. Nasal drops with this active ingredient can be used without hesitation, even over a long period of time or several times a year. They do not contain any harmful substances that burden the nose and circulation. In addition, it can help to elevate the upper body slightly to treat the blocked nose. Blocked nose – what to do? Tips and home remedies
More tips against the common cold in children
When you have a cold, it is called: Clear the nose and off into the fresh air. Even with a cold – but not with a fever – warmly dressed children can, for example, spend half an hour outdoors several times a day. This boosts the immune system and maintains fitness. Also make sure that the indoor air is not too dry. It is also important to drink enough, preferably warm herbal tea. If you are still breastfeeding, you can drip a drop of breast milk into your baby’s nostrils, as milk contains many antibodies. However, if a cold is joined by cough, fever or other complications, parents should definitely take their child to the doctor. For newborns, a visit to the doctor for a cold is always advisable to be on the safe side.
Preventing the common cold
If many children with not yet fully developed immune systems come together in a confined space, cold viruses spread particularly quickly.This is why the frequency of colds is greatest in kindergarten children and decreases with increasing age. Therefore, good advice for all parents is to administer a gentle cold remedy (as described above) once a day as a preventive measure as soon as their child is threatened with a cold or when the cold season starts. They moisten the nasal mucosa during the heating period. And this is important, because if the mucous membrane dries out, cold viruses can penetrate more easily.